Today we read our latest published stories to another first grade classroom. We heard kids using repeated phrases, rule of three, onomatopoeia, dialogue, important lists, and strong words to tell details. We will continue our study of mentor authors and strengthening our narrative writing before we move on to expository pieces. The kids did a great job sharing and listening. Repeated reading and studying of mentor authors and modeling the writing strategies has helped improve our writing.

Mondays are too crazy. I try to meet with all 8 reading groups. It is nearly impossible. So today I met with some kids this afternoon. That is not the best way to do groups in first grade. The solution may be to have 3 of the higher reading groups meet as a book club on Mondays so that I would only have 5 groups to teach. One on one meetings are going well throughout the rest of the week.

Why was this such a good day? It could be because my headache finally went away after 4 weeks. But also because I made a special note to give specific praise and comments in my whole class and conferencing teaching. VERY SPECIFIC... and the kids responded by working harder and more productively. Way to go, kids.

News flash: the more we read and write the better we get at reading and writing. Wow! The lowest reading group was at level A just a month ago and are now reading fluently at level D and are not slowing down. And the writing is great. They are using the rule of three, repeating phrases, dialogue, thoughts and feelings. It's so much fun to watch all this.

Our reading circles are going well. We only do them about three times a week and that keeps it fresh for the kids. The mixed abilities groupings seems to be motivating for my reluctant readers. Kids sit in a circle, knee to knee, and decide who will read first, second and third. Then they each read a page or two from their own selection. They are very positive with one another. In fact, R., a reluctant reader, found out he could read much harder books than he had been reading. He went from a GR level B to a GR level F in a week. Sometimes kids do better at teacher than we do!!

I have been trying to find ways to include more reading during the day, especially for my struggling readers. I have tried adding a 15 minute reading time in the afternoon. That was working okay. Then I decided to make reading circles of three kids each with varying abilities. This has been a great success. The kids love it. And they spend recess time choosing the book or magazine to share with their circle. Lots of groans when circle reading time is over. I will see if this makes a difference in the rate of acquiring reading skills.